Old Guard Soldiers sweep competition; advance to Best Warrior Competition

1 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –Sgt. Robert Keifer (left), infantryman, Honor Guard Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and Spc. Michael Sands, infantryman, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), tackle a 5-mile road march during the Military District of Washington's [MDW] Best Warrior Competition [BWC], July 17, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Keifer and Sands were named the MDW noncommissioned and Soldier of the year. They will represent The Old Guard at the Department of the Army's BWC later this year. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks )VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –Sgt. Robert Keifer, infantryman, Honor Guard Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), administers a tourniquet to a simulated injured Soldier's leg during the Military District of Washington's [MDW] Best Warrior Competition, July 17, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Keifer outperformed six noncommissioned officers [NCO] to earn the title of the MDW NCO of the year. He will advance to the Department of the Army level this October at Fort Lee, Va. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks )VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –Spc. Michael Sands, infantryman, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), assembles four types of weapons systems during the Military District of Washington's [MDW] Best Warrior Competition [BWC], July 17, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Sands was named the MDW Soldier of the year and will represent The Old Guard at the Department of the Army's BWC later this year. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks )VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. (July 22, 2013) -- Two Soldiers assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), swept opposing competition during the 2013 Military District of Washington's Best Warrior Competition; earning the titles of the MDW noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the year.

"As I stood there waiting, I was pretty nervous until they called my name as the winner," said Sgt. Robert Keifer, who was named the NCO of the year. "I was excited and proud that all the hard work paid off."

The competition was held, July 15-19, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va.

During the competition, seven noncommissioned officers and three Soldiers were tested on basic and advanced warrior tasks and battle drills, day and night land navigation, urban warfare simulations, physical fitness, rifle qualification, a written exam, a ruck march and a board interview.

The competition was no walk in the park according to Keifer, who said it was one of the toughest things he has been a part of.

"I have been in a couple events like this, but at this level, you see the best out here. The key for my success was to keep focus throughout the week," said Keifer, infantryman, Honor Guard Company. "Not only were we battling against each other, we were battling the heat as well. We had to make sure we ate and stayed hydrated."

However, with water and other proper safety precautions in place, Soldiers demonstrated their mental and physical skills in temperatures well into the 90s. In the end, only two found themselves on top.

Spc. Michael Sands, MDW Soldier of the year, was nearly speechless when explaining how it felt to claim one of the coveted spots.

"I can't put it into words," said Sands, infantryman, Delta Company. "It's very special. I felt privileged just to be selected."

Sands said it was an added bonus wining alongside a fellow Old Guard Soldier.

"It was really rewarding to see both of us win. The Old Guard delivered a one, two punch," said Sands, "He and I would study as often as possible to make sure we had things memorized. We really worked hard together to get to this point."

Keifer agreed it was great to win with someone from the same unit.

"It's like winning with my little brother," said Keifer. "We have grown really close because of this experience. I am really looking forward to moving on and getting ready for the next competition. I'm glad The Old Guard will be represented at the next level."

Keifer and Sands will compete in the Department of the Army's BWC this October at Fort Lee, Va.